Shipping & Policies
Every policy written in plain language. Know exactly what you're agreeing to before you order, we think that's how it should be.
Last updated: June 2026
Every animal that ships from Shrimp Atelier is personally inspected and confirmed alive and active at the time of packaging. We photograph our packing process and maintain records of every shipment.
Our Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG) covers any shrimp that arrive deceased. If your order includes DOA animals, we will replace them on our next available ship date at zero additional cost to you.
Animals confirmed deceased upon delivery, documented with a clear photo submitted within 1 hour of the delivery timestamp.
Replacement shipment on next available Monday, Wednesday ship date. Replacement covers the number of confirmed DOA animals only.
Animals that die after confirmed live delivery. Animals lost due to improper acclimation, uncycled tanks, incompatible water parameters, predation by tank mates, or any post-delivery cause. Carrier delays (though we still honor DOA claims if the photo requirement is met). Orders to restricted states that were placed despite the restriction notice.
Live animals require specific shipping practices to arrive safely. Our shipping schedule and methods are non-negotiable, they exist to protect your animals.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday only. This prevents animals from sitting in carrier facilities over weekends. Orders placed Thursday through Sunday ship the following Monday. We will confirm your ship date by email before anything leaves our facility.
| Carrier Option | Transit Time | Cost | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail | 1, 2 business days | $14.99 | Neocaridina orders |
| FedEx Overnight | Next business day | $34.99 | Caridina, Taiwan Bee, Elite morphs |
| UPS Next Day Air | Next business day | $29.99 | All species, strong alternative |
All orders ship in breathable breather bags nestled inside a bed of dense shredded paper cushioning inside a standard outer box. We made the switch from shredded paper cushioning to shredded paper because it performs just as well for insulation, it's far better for the environment, and it's 100% recyclable. A temperature-appropriate heat or cold pack is included based on forecast transit weather. Outer boxes carry no external markings indicating live animals.
You must be available to receive your package on the scheduled delivery date. Shrimp left in transit packaging in extreme temperatures can suffer irreversible harm. Shrimp Atelier is not responsible for losses resulting from an unattended delivery address.
Due to state-specific laws governing the import and transport of live freshwater aquatic animals, we are currently unable to ship to the following states:
Orders placed from restricted states will be cancelled and fully refunded. If you are unsure whether your state has restrictions, contact us at orders@shrimpatelier.com before ordering. State regulations change, Shrimp Atelier is not responsible for orders placed in violation of state law.
All 48 remaining US states are eligible for shipment. Alaska and other remote areas may require upgraded shipping at additional cost, contact us before ordering if you are in a remote location.
All live animal sales are final. We do not accept returns, exchanges, or issue refunds for living animals once they have been delivered alive.
This policy exists for two reasons: the welfare of the animals, and the biological reality that returned live animals cannot be reintroduced to our breeding colonies without risking disease transmission to our entire operation.
We will not issue refunds for: animals that survive delivery but die later due to tank conditions. Animals that don't perform as expected in a community tank. Buyer's remorse. Color that differs from photos due to different lighting or stress during transit. Breeding performance. Size at time of delivery. Any post-delivery cause of death.
Our Live Arrival Guarantee is the only remedy available for order issues, and it covers DOA animals via replacement only, not refund. By placing an order, you acknowledge and agree to this policy in full.
If any animals in your order arrive deceased, follow these steps exactly. Claims that do not follow this process cannot be honored.
Open your delivery as soon as it arrives. Do not leave it sitting. Time is critical for both animal survival and DOA documentation.
Place DOA animals on a flat, dry surface outside of the bag. Take a clear, well-lit photograph showing the animals and the bag they arrived in. The photo must be taken within 1 hour of your delivery timestamp, no exceptions.
Send your photo and order number to orders@shrimpatelier.com with subject line "DOA Claim, Order #[your number]". Include your order number, the species, and the quantity of DOA animals.
We will respond within 24 hours to confirm your claim and provide your replacement ship date. Replacements ship on the next available Monday, Wednesday ship date.
Shrimp Atelier collects sales tax based on the shipping destination state. Tax rates vary by state and are calculated automatically at checkout based on your shipping address.
Arizona orders are subject to 5.6% state sales tax plus applicable local rates. All other state rates are applied per current state tax schedules. Tax is calculated on the subtotal plus shipping.
If you hold a valid tax exemption certificate for your state, contact us before placing your order. We will verify your exemption and process your order accordingly. Tax exemptions cannot be applied retroactively to completed orders.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. We do not accept PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, cryptocurrency, checks, or cash for live animal orders.
Your card is charged at the time of order submission. Orders are confirmed by email within 24 hours. If we cannot fulfill your order (out of stock, restricted state, etc.) your card will be refunded in full within 3, 5 business days.
If you initiate a chargeback with your card issuer for a live animal order that was delivered alive and on time, we will respond to the dispute with full documentation of delivery confirmation, packaging photos, and your signed agreement to our no-return policy. We take chargebacks seriously and will contest all unjustified disputes.
By placing an order with Shrimp Atelier, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to all policies on this page including the Live Arrival Guarantee terms, No Return Policy, DOA Process, restricted state list, and payment policy.
You confirm that your tank is cycled and ready to receive live animals at the time of order. You agree to be available to receive your delivery on the scheduled delivery date. You understand that live animals are inherently unpredictable and that Shrimp Atelier's liability is limited to the replacement remedy described in our Live Arrival Guarantee.
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Arizona. Any disputes arising from orders placed with Shrimp Atelier are subject to Arizona jurisdiction.
These policies are subject to change without notice. The policies in effect at the time of your order confirmation are the ones that apply to your order. Last updated: June 2026.
All animals ship live and guaranteed. Place your order securely through our order form.
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